Alain Vigneault hasn’t been happy with the Rangers defense this season and on Wednesday, he did something about it.

The Rangers recalled Dylan McIlrath from AHL Hartford, according to the New York Daily News. McIlrath, 21, was the club’s first-round pick (1oth overall) at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and has appeared in 23 games for the Wolf Pack this season, scoring three goals and seven points.

The towering defenseman (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) spent all of last year in the AHL but felt he had “a legitimate shot” of making the NHL this season. A tough, physical player that isn’t afraid to fight, McIlrath was dropped from the Rangers just prior to the end of training camp.

It’s not surprising Vigneault and the Rangers brass are giving McIlrath a look. The head coach carved up his defense last week, saying the unit has been disappointing aside from Ryan McDonagh, the only blueliner than Vigneault felt had played beyond expectations this year.

The McIlrath recall also likely has to do with the health of Marc Staal, who has missed the last few games with a concussion. It’s worth noting this promotion comes a day after the Blueshirts brought Arron Asham back into the fold, as Vigneault said the lineup needed more grit and toughness.

Nonsense. If stiffs who bring nothing to the table like Boyle and Pyatt can make $1.7 mil and $1.5 mil respectively, then Prust’s $2.5 cap hit was not outrageous. He’s been missed in so many ways its not even funny.

All I’ve seen of this kid in training camps is that he’s frequently running out of position to make big hits. If AV is pissed at MDZ for poor decisions that are leading to odd man rushes for the other teams, then McIlrath had better not play like he did in September, or his stay will be brief.